Patent Application
20200273656
X-rays are a form of high frequency, penetrating electromagnetic radiation, with energy and absorptive properties selected for use in a variety of different medical and industrial settings. Applications include, but are not limited to, medical imaging, diagnostics, radiology, radiotherapy, radiography and tomography, non-destructive testing, materials detection and analysis, and security and inspection.
Conventional x-ray tubes operate by emitting an electron beam from a source and directing the beam to impact a target, converting a portion of the electron energy into x-rays. The electron beam is commonly generated by heating a tungsten filament or another emitter to produce thermionic emission, or via field emission induced by a high-strength electric field at the emitter surface. The electrons accelerate from the emitter assembly (or cathode) toward the target (anode), gaining energy based on the potential difference across the anode-cathode separation or “throw distance” (throw length). Electric and/or magnetic fields can be used to control the shape of the electron beam cross section which defines the focal spot, the region on the target where the electron beam generates x-rays.
Characteristic x-rays are produced via x-ray fluorescence, which occurs when the incident electrons have sufficient energy to eject inner-shell electrons from atoms in the anode material. Outer-shell electrons drop down to fill the inner-shell vacancies, producing radiation at energies and frequencies characteristic of the material making up the anode. Bremsstrahlung (or “braking radiation”) occurs when the incident electrons deflect in the target anode, producing a continuous spectrum of x-ray radiation terminating at a lower frequency corresponding to the applied voltage between the cathode and anode. The resultant x-ray spectrum is produced as a series of characteristic peaks corresponding to x-ray fluorescence from the anode material, superposed on the continuous Bremsstrahlung radiation.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Numbers provided in flow charts and processes are provided for clarity in illustrating steps and operations and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or sequence. Unless otherwise defined, the term “or” can refer to a choice of alternatives (e.g., a disjunction operator, or an exclusive or) or a combination of the alternatives (e.g., a conjunction operator, and/or, a logical or, or a Boolean OR).
Some embodiments relate generally to x-ray systems and methods for generating x-rays, including x-ray tube and emitter designs. Other embodiments relate to low work function emitter materials adapted for improved thermionic emission and open cathode structures. Representative applications include, but are not limited to, imaging, diagnostics, radiology, radiotherapy, radiography and tomography, and a range of industrial x-ray technologies.
Conventional x-ray tube designs include tungsten coil-based emitters with operational current densities ranging up to approximately 1 to 4 amperes per centimeter squared (1-4 A/cm2). The emitting area can be increased to obtain higher total emission at a given current density, but traditional helical-wound designs are subject to overall size limitations, typically in the range of about 0.025 inches (or 0.635 cm) coil outer diameter (OD). Electrons are emitted from the coil surfaces with varying angles, geometry, and localized electric field, and tungsten emitters operate at very high temperatures, typically up to 2100-2500° C., increasing the likelihood for movement and deformation.
A smaller, sharper focal spot can be easier to generate with a smaller emitting area and a more uniform emitter geometry. Thus, moving beyond traditional tungsten emitter technologies can present a number of opportunities for improved x-ray system design, including the use of advanced, lower work function emitter materials, with emitter designs adapted to generate sharper, microscale focal spots. For example, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, emitters may be formed low work function (LWF) materials such that they operate at temperatures of below 1500° C., below 1200° C., or at 1000° C. or lower. Additionally, emitters may be configured to operate at work functions of 4.0 eV or lower, 3.0 eV or lower, or 2.5 eV or lower.
The cathode assembly 110 includes a cathode head 140 with a LWF emitter 150. As used herein, the work function of a material is the minimum amount of energy, or thermodynamic work, needed to remove an electron from a solid to a point in a vacuum immediately adjacent to the solid surface. Melt temperature is often an indicator of chemical stability in vacuum. As described, and as measured on inhomogeneous surfaces, the work function is considered to be the lowest measurable work function on a surface of an emitter, as measured by field electron emission, photoemission, thermionic emission, or electron tunneling. Suitable materials for the emitter 150 include, but are not limited to, lanthanum boride and cerium boride materials, rhenium boride, cerium rhenium boride, and other suitable lanthanide crystal and rare earth metal boride materials. Low work function emitters 150 can also be formed of carbide materials such as hafnium carbide or zirconium carbide, oxide materials such as yttrium oxide (yttria), tungsten thorium (thoriated tungsten) or tungsten lanthanum (lanthanated tungsten) oxides, Schottkey emitters such as tungsten zirconium (zirconiated tungsten) oxides, and dispenser cathode materials such as a barium oxide compound in a porous tungsten matrix (see Table 1).
Other transition metals may also be substituted for the tungsten components in Table 1, where the resultant emitter material maintains a lower work function than traditional tungsten electrodes, and operates in a lower temperature range or with a higher emission current density. Alternatively, traditional high work function (HWF) elements have also been used for some advanced emitter designs, for example tungsten (W), Niobium (Nb) or Tantalum (Ta), and other suitable transition metal-based emitter materials.
When the x-ray tube system 100 is assembled, the cathode 110 extends from a high-voltage standoff 160 disposed on one end of the insert 130, positioning the cathode head 140 and LWF emitter 150 with respect to the anode 120. The anode (or anode assembly) 120 can include a rotating target 170, which is supported on a bearing or rotor 180, which may extend to the opposite end of the insert 130. Alternatively, as detailed below, the anode 120 can be a stationary element in an x-ray tube system 100.
In operation of the x-ray tube system 100, electrons are emitted from the emitter 150, which is seated in the cathode head 140 with the major emitter surface oriented toward the anode 120. A high voltage potential difference is applied between the emitter 150 and the anode 120, forming an electron beam (e-) directed from the emitter 150 and impinging onto a focal spot (F) defined on the target 170.
Some fraction of the impinging electron energy converts to high energy radiation in the form of x-rays (x), which emerge from a window structure 190 on the side of the insert 130. The emerging x-rays can be directed, for example, toward the body of a patient for medical imaging, diagnostics or radiotherapy, or toward some object of interest for use in non-destructive testing, materials detection and analysis, or security inspection.
Depending on x-ray tube design, the potential difference between cathode head 140 and the anode target 170 can range from 10-100 kilovolts (kV) up to 450 kV, or more. Typical beam currents also vary, but may be on the order of milliamperes (mA) to 1-2 ampere (1-2 A), or more. The spot size may be reduced or minimized as much as possible to provide sufficient image quality without compromising the target material. As a result, the thermal loading on the anode 120 can be substantial, and while the target 170 can rotate to distribute the heat more evenly, both the cathode assembly 110 and the anode 120 are carefully designed to provide reliable operation over the expected service life of the x-ray tube. At the same time, use of a low work function emitter 150 can also provide improved current density and focal spot control, for enhanced high-intensity x-ray production.
In closed tube applications (e.g., utilizing a sealed vacuum enclosure 130), the emitter 150 and other components can also be adapted to reduce outgas sing and other effects during operation of the x-ray tube system 100, providing improved service life with reduced risk of tube failure. Other x-ray tube systems can use getters or actively pumped configurations that use a continuously running vacuum pump system to remove excess gas and maintain a high quality vacuum environment.
In this particular embodiment, the anode 220 includes a stationary target 270. A cooling system 280 is provided to dissipate heat generated by the impingement of the electron beam (e-) onto the fixed anode target 270, generating high frequency radiation in the form of x-rays (x) that exit the x-ray tube 200 from the window 290 in the side of the insert 230. In some embodiments a housing 235 surrounds the inner vacuum enclosure 236, where housing 235 can define the size, shape, and position of window 290.
Emitter materials with a relatively low work function can be used to improve thermionic emission and electron beam current density, or both, without increasing the emitter area or operating temperature. Suitable lanthanide and rare earth metal boride materials may have work functions in the range of about 2.5 to 2.8 electron volts (2.5-2.8 eV), or less than about 3.5 eV for yttria and some carbide materials, which is still substantially lower than traditional high-temperature metal-based emitters like tungsten, which has a work function of about 4.5 eV. These materials can also provide a relatively higher emission constant, or both a lower work function and a higher emission constant.
The emitter 150 utilizes low work function materials exhibiting a geometry adapted for use in closed or sealed x-ray tube applications, including reflection targets in rotating anode or stationary anode x-ray tubes, and transmission anodes. In the particular example of
Direct or indirect heating can be used to operate the emitter in a thermionic emission temperature range, for example approximately 1000° C. to 1200° C., depending on the emitter material and desired current density. These operating temperatures are substantially lower than temperatures typically used for traditional tungsten filament emitters, which typically operate at well over 2000° C. The current density can also be up to an order of magnitude higher, so a relatively small LWF emitter may be able to provide the same tube current as a much larger tungsten filament, with a substantially smaller nominal focal spot size. These advantages can also be adapted for use in a micro-focus x-ray tube.
Low work function materials provide greater electron flux, for a given emitter area, enabling improvements in high current applications like computed tomography (CT), for example, with an emission current of 1.5 A or more, and a 70 kV or higher cathode-anode potential difference. Suitable low work function materials can also be ground and/or formed into different shapes such as rectangular solids, cylinders, and truncated cones, etc., allowing emission electrons to be generated with more laminar trajectories than with traditional helical wound filaments.
Low work function emitter materials are more amenable to masking and other means of minimizing edge effects that are common in both coiled filaments and flat emitter geometries because they operate at lower temperatures. Selected lanthanide crystal and rare earth metal boride materials can also be less susceptible to poisoning than traditional dispenser cathode materials; and particular materials such as cerium hexaboride (CeB6) may be less susceptible than other materials such as lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6), for operating temperatures up to about 1650° C. or 1750° C.
The base 154 of the emitter 150 engages within a seat 442 defined in the bottom of the cathode head 440, positioning the emitter body 152 within an aperture 444, in the anode-facing surface 446 of the cathode head 440. The major surface 158 of the emitter body 152 is adapted for emitting electrons, for example, via thermionic emission, in response to joule heating.
A base or similar cathode support structure 448 couples to and supports the cathode head 440 inside the x-ray tube, and the cathode head is adapted for positioning and maintaining alignment of the emitter 150 with respect to the anode, within the vacuum enclosure. A focusing cup or field guide 450 can be disposed about the anode-facing (top) surface 446 of the cathode head 440, in order to further shape the electric field and help focus the electrons into a beam directed to a well-defined focal spot on the anode target. The cathode head 440 and the field guide 450 can both provide focusing structures. Additionally, the cathode head 440 and the field guide 450 can provide high voltage shielding to the cathode head 400.
Suitable assemblies 400 can include a LWF emitter 150 disposed in the cathode head 440. The emitter includes an emitter body 152 coupled to a base 154 by one or more supports 156, with a major surface 158 adapted for the emission of electrons. The emitter body can be formed of a low work function material such as cerium hexaboride, or another suitable lanthanide crystalline material or rare earth metal oxide. Other suitable materials are described in Table 1.
The emitter 150 can thus be quickly and easily seated into the cathode head 440, with the emitter body 152 correctly positioned within the aperture 444 on the anode-facing surface 446, and spaced from cathode head 440 along the outer perimeter of the major emitter surface 158. Suitable spacing clearance varies, for example, from about one mil (0.001 inch, or about 25 microns) to about eight or ten mil (0.008-0.010 inch, or 200 to 250 microns), or more. In another example, the spacing between the inner perimeter of the aperture 444 of the cathode head 440 and the outer perimeter of the major emitter surface 158 is less than 0.5 millimeters (mm).
The engagement between the ceramic base 154 and the seat 442 is also configured to prevent contact between the emitter body 152 and the inner surface of the cathode assembly, both during and after assembly, ensuring correct placement of the major emitter surface 158 within the aperture 444 in the cathode head 440. The surface 158 of the emitter body 152 can also be angularly oriented with respect to the cathode head 440, and disposed proud of, flush with, or recessed from the anode-facing surface 446. This self-aligning cathode arrangement can substantially reduce time and resources that would be required to manually position and orient the emitter 150 within a cathode, while preventing contact with the emitter body 152 to reduce the risk of incidental damage, contamination, or misalignment.
In the particular examples of
In closed x-ray tube embodiments, the emitter 150 is disposed inside the cathode head 440, with the emitter body 152 extending into aperture 444 in the anode-facing surface 446. The emitter body 152 is coupled to a ceramic base 154 via one or more supports 156, with the major surface 158 positioned to generate an electron beam. The electrons are directed toward an anode, which emits x-rays responsive to impingement of the electron beam.
As shown in
The emitter 150 can be aligned (with or without alignment features 451, 452) by engaging the base 154 within a complementary seat 442 in the bottom of the cathode head 440, so that the emitter body 152 is aligned in a coaxial arrangement with the cathode head 440, rotationally symmetric about the common axis P. In fixed target applications, the emitter 150 and the cathode head 440 can also be coaxially arranged along the x-ray tube axis, within the vacuum enclosure.
In one such configuration, the major surface 158 of the emitter body 152 is rotationally symmetric about the common axis of the emitter body and the x-ray tube, as shown in
As shown in any of
These “side emission” electrons can also be pulled toward the anode, along with the electrons emitted from the major surface 158. Electrons coming off the lateral sides 159A, however, will also be deflected by the metallic cathode head 440 or other structures, and approach the anode “off focus,” away from the primary desired focal spot.
With shield 510 disposed on the sides of the emitter body 152B, electron emission is suppressed from the secondary surfaces 159B, and the electron beam is generated primarily from the major emitter surface 158B. This provides more parallel and uniform trajectories for the electrons, as they travel from the emitter body 152B toward the anode.
In one example, the shield 510 is made with a material having a higher work function than the adjacent surfaces 159B of the emitter body 152B, in order to further reduce or substantially eliminate electron emission from the side surfaces 159B, as compared to the major surface 158B.
In some embodiments, the shield comprises carbon, graphite, tungsten, rhenium, or platinum. These and other shield materials can also be selected for inertness to chemical reactions with the low work function material of the emitter body 152B. That is, the material of shield 510 can be selected to reduce or substantially eliminate chemical reactions with the emitter material, and to substantially avoid altering the composition, structure, or emission properties of the emitter 150B. The shield material can be also selected for stability in a vacuum at operating temperatures of up to about 1500° C., or more, and can be applied in a thickness of one millimeter (1 mm), or more or less, so that the shield 510 reduces side emission without adding significant thermal mass to the emitter 150B.
In various embodiments, the shield 510 can be disposed directly on the emitter body 152B, to remain in close and direct contact with the side surfaces 159B, extending laterally from the major surface 158B. Alternatively, a gap, insulator, physical interface between two materials, or similar thermal decoupling can be provided between the shield 510 and the sides surfaces, and the outward-facing surface S of the mask 510 can operate at a lower temperature than the secondary surface 159B. In these applications, the shield may be formed of the same low work function material used for the emitter body 152B, but can still operate to reduce the emission current density, since the outer surface S is maintained at a lower temperature than the side surface 159B of the emitter.
In some embodiments, the taper or undercut 520 on the side surfaces 159C extends at an acute angle AC from the major surface 158C, as shown in
A bevel 530 is defined between the major surface 158D of the emitter body 152D, and the side surfaces 159D. The bevel can be rounded, chamfered, or otherwise shaped to reduce the sharpness of the emitter body, as compared to the sharpness of the angle AC. Reducing the sharpness of corners on the emitter body decreases the local field strength, reducing the emission current density along the corner interface between the major surface 158D and the adjacent lateral side surfaces 159D.
In other examples, the taper or undercut 520 of
As shown in
Mechanical connectors 630 such as screws or bolts couple the top and bottom fixture members together about the emitter body 252A, defining a masked emission area or window 650 for the major emitter surface 258, and inducing a compression force to fix the emitter body 252A in place between the first and second fixture members 610 and 620. As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the emitter assembly 500 includes a mask and/or shield fixture 600 disposed about the perimeter of the emitter body 252A, 252B; e.g., where the secondary or side surface 259 extends from the major surface 258 along a side of the emitter body 252A, 252B. The fixture 600 can be configured to modulate the electric field strength along the secondary surface 259 of the emitter body 252A, 252B, in order to reduce the emission current density along the side.
The fixture 600 can also be disposed about a perimeter of the major surface 258 of the emitter body 252A, 252B, shielding at least a portion of the major surface 258. In these embodiments, the aperture or window 650 defines an emission area that is smaller than the major surface 258. The fixture 600 can also be spaced about the circumference of the emitter body 252A, 252B, in order to reduce the current density along the side surfaces 259, as compared to the emission window 650 defined on the major surface 258. As illustrated in
As shown in
The HWF emitter 800 provides for generating a second, more traditionally defined focal spot on the anode target. The emitters 150 and 800 can be wired for operation as a dual focus x-ray generator, with a relatively larger-focus x-ray source based on the HWF emitter 800, with a traditional tungsten filament 810, and a smaller micro-focus x-ray source using the LWF emitter 150, with a low work function emitter body 152. Both emitters can be provided together in the same cathode head 440, for use in the same x-ray tube.
Depending on the embodiment, the major surfaces 358A, 358B, 358C of each emitter body 352A, 352B, 352C may be planar or non-planar, and may be oriented either perpendicular to or at an angle relative to the beam direction. In non-planar embodiments, the major surface 358B of the emitter body 352B can be either concave or convex with respect to the adjacent (anode-facing) surface of the cathode head, or any of the major surfaces 358A, 358B, 358C may have a combination of convex and concave portions. A plurality of emitter bodies 352C can also be provided with differently shaped major surfaces 358C, or with major surfaces 358C disposed at different angles, or both.
As compared to reflection targets, x-rays used in imaging from a transmission target 850 are those generated in substantially the same direction as the incident electron beam. X-rays are generated by the LWF emitter 150 in a full 360 degree distribution. However, emission from the side surfaces 159 is suppressed by the shield 510. Alternatively, a fixture, taper, undercut, or bevel could be used, as described above. In other embodiments, the emitter 150 is not limited to any particular form, and a transition anode 850 can be used with any suitable emitter design, encompassing any combination of the other embodiments and features disclosed herein. With the major surface emitting x-rays in a full 360 degree direction, the reflection target attenuates x-rays along the direction of the incident electron beam (greater than with a transmission target 850). That is, the proportion of x-rays traveling along the same direction as the incident electron beam after self-attenuation in the anode target 850 is much lower for the transmission target, than for the reflection target.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the major surface 158P, 158Q, and 158R of the emitter body 152P, 152Q, 152R is symmetric with respect to rotation of the emitter body within the cathode head. This prevents misalignment of the emitter with respect to the desired focal spot, as long as the base of the emitter is seated in the cathode head, regardless of angular orientation.
Alternatively, the major surface 158P, 158Q, and 158R of the emitter body 152P, 152Q, 152R may be asymmetric with respect to rotation of the emitter body 152P, 152Q, 152R within the cathode head. For example, the major surface 158P, 158Q, and 158R may be oblong or oblate, with an aspect ratio selected to modulate a size of the focal spot where the electron beam impinges on the anode.
The major surface 158P, 158Q, and 158R can also have one or more convex or concave lobes 860, which are adapted to modulate one or more of the size or the current density of the focal spot. In each of these configurations, complementary alignment pins, slots, or keys can be provided on the base of the emitter and on the seat in the cathode head, in order to correctly orient major surface 158P, 158Q, and 158R of the emitter body 152P, 152Q, 152R within the cathode assembly.
More generally, emitters 150P, 150Q, 150R of
In some examples, the emitter 150, 150A-C, 150P-R, 250A-D, 350A-C is adapted to reduce emission from secondary surfaces extending along the sides 159, 159A-D, 159P-R, 259, 359, of the emitter body 152, 152A-D, 152P-R, 252A-B, 352A-C (shown at 970). A high work function emitter 800 such as one including tungsten filaments can also be disposed in the cathode 110, 210, 310, 400, adjacent to the low work function emitter 150, 150A-C, 150P-R, 250A-D, 350A-C along the anode-facing surface 446 of the cathode head (shown at 980). A tungsten filament or similar high work function transition metal emission element may be used, for example, to provide a different focal spot size or profile, for use in a dual-focus x-ray tube 100, 200, 300. These acts can be executed in any order or combination, with or without additional processes and techniques adapted from other teachings in the specification, or as known in the art.
Seating the base 154 of the emitter 150, 150A-C, 150P-R, 250A-D, 350A-C in the cathode head 140, 240, 440 can include aligning the emitter body 152, 152A-D, 152P-R, 252A-B, 352A-C within an aperture 444 in the anode-facing surface 446 of the cathode head 140, 240, 440, so that the emitter body is disposed in a spaced relationship between the anode-facing surface 446 and a perimeter of the major surface 158, 158A-C, 158P-R, 258, 358A-C, and oriented toward the desired focal spot F on the anode 120, 220, 320. Manufacturing applications can also include additional assembly acts such as positioning the anode 120, 220, 320 and cathode 110, 210, 310, 400 in the vacuum enclosure 130, 230, 236, and closing the x-ray tube 100, 200, 300 to form a sealed insert 130, 230, after the vacuum enclosure 130, 230, 236 has been evacuated and treated to reduce operational outgassing. In operational applications, an end user may simply provide a suitably provisioned x-ray tube apparatus (e.g., x-ray tubes or assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500, as described herein), and operate the apparatus to generate x-rays.
In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, an emitter assembly 500 for a closed x-ray tube is provided. The emitter assembly comprises an emitter body 152 formed of a low work function material, the emitter body having a major surface 158 and a secondary surface 159. The major surface 158 is adapted for emission of electrons from the low work function material and the emitter assembly is adapted to reduce an emission current density emitted from the secondary surface 159 of the emitter body 152, as compared to the major surface 158.
The emitter assembly 500 can include a cathode head 140, wherein the emitter body 152 is disposed in a surface of the cathode head 140 to define a gap of less than 0.5 millimeter between the major surface 158 of the emitter body 152 and the surface of the cathode head 140, such that the emitter body 152 does not contact the surface of the cathode head 140.
In one embodiment, the low work function material comprises lanthanum hexaboride or cerium hexaboride.
In one embodiment, the low work function material comprises rhenium boride or cerium rhenium boride, a lanthanide crystal material, a rare earth metal boride, hafnium carbide or zirconium carbide, yttrium oxide, a tungsten thorium or tungsten lanthanum oxide, a tungsten zirconium oxide or other Schottkey emitter, or a dispenser cathode material.
The emitter assembly of claim 1, wherein the low work function material has a work function less than 4.0 electron volts (eV).
In one embodiment, the secondary surface 159 comprises a side surface extending from the major surface 158 of the emitter body 152, and further comprising a means for reducing an emission current density along the side surface as compared to the major surface 158.
In one embodiment, the means for reducing an emission current density along the side surface comprises a shield 510 on the side surface that includes a shield material having a work function higher than the low work function material on the side surface of the emitter body.
In one embodiment, the shield material comprises carbon, graphite, tungsten, rhenium, or platinum.
In one embodiment, the shield material is disposed on the emitter body 152 in direct contact with the side surface 159, with a thickness of less than one millimeter.
In one embodiment the emitter assembly further comprises a thermal decoupling between the shield 510 and the side surface 159 of the emitter body 152, wherein an outer surface of the shield operates at a lower temperature than the side surface of the emitter body.
In one embodiment the secondary surface 159 extends from the major surface 158 at an acute angle.
In one embodiment, the emitter assembly 500 further comprises a fixture 600 disposed about the emitter body 152, wherein the secondary surface 159 comprises a side surface extending from the major surface 158 along a side of the emitter body 152, and the fixture 600 is configured to modulate an electric field strength to reduce an emission current density along the side surface.
In one embodiment, the fixture 600 comprises a first fixture member 610 disposed in contact with the major surface 158 of the emitter body and a second fixture member 620 disposed in contact with the emitter body 152 at a location opposite the major surface, wherein the fixture members apply a mechanical bias to fix the emitter body 152 in place therebetween.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a cathode assembly 110 for a closed x-ray tube is provided. The cathode assembly comprises a cathode head 140 and an emitter 150 disposed in the cathode head. The emitter comprises an emitter body 152 coupled to a base 154 and having a major surface 158 adapted for emission of electrons, wherein the emitter body 152 is formed of a low work function material. The assembly further includes means 510, 520, 530, 600 for reducing an emission current density emitted from a side surface of the emitter body, as compared to the major surface.
In one embodiment, a gap defines a distance between the emitter body and the cathode head of the cathode assembly. The distance can be less than 0.5 millimeter (mm).
In one embodiment, the low work function material of the emitter body 152 has a work function less than 4.0 electron volts (eV).
In one embodiment, the further comprising a second emitter element 810 disposed adjacent the emitter body 152 along an anode-facing surface of the cathode head, wherein the second emitter element is formed of a transition metal.
In one embodiment, the second emitter element 810 comprises a tungsten filament.
In one embodiment, the emitter of the cathode assembly is rotationally symmetric about an axis and an opening in the cathode head is rotationally symmetric about the axis.
In one embodiment, the axis extends perpendicularly to the major surface of the emitter body.
In one embodiment, the major surface of the emitter is a non-planar surface.
In one embodiment, a closed x-ray tube includes a cathode assembly, and further comprises an anode adapted to emit x-rays responsive to impingement of the electrons emitted from the major surface of the emitter, wherein the anode is configured as a transmissive target or a reflective target.
In one embodiment, the emitter body 152 is disposed in a fixture 600 that defines a mask or emission window 650 having a top surface 615, wherein the major surface 258 of the emitter body 152 is in plane with the top surface 615 of the mask.
In one embodiment, the emitter body 152 is disposed in a fixture 600 that defines a mask or emission window 650 having a top surface 615, wherein the major surface 258 of the emitter body 152 is recessed relative to the top surface 615 of the mask.
In one embodiment, the fixture 600 is fixed to the emitter body 152 via mechanical means.
In one embodiment, the mask or emission window 650 defined by the fixture 600 can have a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a non-symmetric shape, any linear or non-linear shape, or combinations thereof.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which comprises providing an x-ray tube and providing a cathode 110 in the x-ray tube. The cathode having an emitter 150 seated in the cathode head 140, the emitter 150 comprising an emitter body 152 formed of a low work function material having a major surface 158 adapted for emitting electrons, and providing an anode in the x-ray tube. According to this embodiment, the anode and the cathode are sealed within the x-ray tube.
In one embodiment, the low work function material comprises a cerium boride, lanthanum boride, rhenium boride or cerium rhenium boride, hafnium carbide or zirconium carbide, yttria, thoriated tungsten, or tungsten-lanthanum oxide, a Schottkey emitter, or a dispenser cathode material.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises seating a base 154 of the emitter 150 in the cathode head 140 and aligning the emitter body 152 within an aperture 444 in an anode-facing surface of the cathode head 140, and spacing the emitter body from a perimeter of the aperture 444.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises disposing a second emitter element 810 within an anode-facing surface of the cathode head, wherein the second emitter element comprises a metal filament.
In one embodiment, the emitter 150 is seated in the cathode head 140 with the emitter body 152 being rotationally symmetric about an axis of the x-ray tube.
In one embodiment, aligning the emitter body within the aperture comprises aligning the major surface perpendicular to an axis of the x-ray tube.
In one embodiment, the major surface of the emitter body is a non-planar or concave surface.
In one embodiment, providing the anode in the x-ray tube further comprises providing the anode in a stationary position with respect to the cathode, or providing the anode in a rotating configuration with respect to the cathode.
In one embodiment, providing the anode in the x-ray tube further comprises providing a reflective target for the electrons emitted from the major surface of the emitter, or providing a transmissive target for the electrons emitted from the major surface of the emitter.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing a shield, fixture, or bevel along a side surface of the emitter body, and reducing an emission current density of the side surface of the emitter body with respect to the major surface, responsive to the shield, fixture, or bevel.
In one embodiment, the method comprises providing the cathode, including engaging the emitter with an alignment feature in the cathode head, wherein the major surface of the emitter body is aligned with respect to the anode for operation of the x-ray tube, responsive to engaging the emitter with the alignment feature.
While these systems and methods have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents can be substituted to adapt these teachings to other problems, materials, and technologies, without departing from the scope of the claims. Features, aspects, components or acts of one embodiment may be combined with features, aspects, components, or acts of other embodiments described herein. The invention is thus not limited to the particular examples that are disclosed, but encompasses all embodiments falling within the appended claims.
